Wheel structure



Nov. 19, 1946. G. A. LYON 2,411,164

WHEEL STRUCTURE Filed July 22, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 19, 1946. G.A. LYON WHEEL STRUCTURE Filed July 22, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 nr Er-z272* 2-0065 445522" lye/v.

Patented Nov. 19, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WHEEL STRUCTUREGeorge Albert Lyon, Allenhurst, N. J. Application July 22, 1943, SerialNo. 495,680

12 Claims.

1 This application is a continuation in part of my application SerialNo. 424,681, filed December 29, 1941, having been filed in the UnitedStates Patent Oflice during the pendency of that application.

This invention relates to a wheel structure, and more particularly to anovel structure for retaining a wheel cover on a wheel, which structureincludes spring clips held on the wheel solely by reason of theirengagement with parts of the wheel.

An object of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive wayof retaining a wheel cover such as a trim ring on a wheel.

. Another object of this invention is to provide a novel spring clip foruse in the retention of a trim ring on a wheel, which clip is adapted tocooperate retainingly at its opposite end with the rim and body parts ofa wheel, and which clip is held on the wheel solely by reason of itsengagement with said parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a wheel cover or trimring which may be made of relatively thin material and still possesssuflicient rigidity and strength so that it can properly cooperate withspring clip retaining means on the wheel.

Still another object of this invention is to so reinforce a relativelylarge trim ring at its place of cooperation on the wheel that thereinforcement will provide the ring with adequate rigidity to resistdistortion and yet be sufiiciently flexible as to be adapted to springover retaining means on the wheel.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel spring clipwhich can be wedged into engagement with the body part of a wheel insideof a wheel opening and which adjacent this wedged engagement is providedwith a shoulder over which a reinforced inner edge of a trim ring orwheel cover is passed for retaining cooperation therewith.

In accordance with invention, there is the general features of thisprovided in a wheel structure,

including a multi-flanged tire rim part and a body part joined theretoat spaced intervals leaving wheel openings between the joined portionsof the wheel parts, spring clip means for holding a wheel cover memberon the wheel comprising a, plurality of spaced clips each including agenerally radially extending strip disposed over a flange of the rimpart and having an outer edge wedged into engagement with a flange ofthe rim part and having an inner portion provided with a projectionextending into a wheel opening for wedging engagement with a portion ofthe body part inside of the wheel opening and also provided with ashoulder outside of the wheel opening arranged so that a reinforced edgeof a wheel cover or trim ring may be passed over this shoulder intoretained cooperation therewith.

In accordance with other general features of this invention, there isprovided in a wheel structure including a multi-flange tire rim part anda body part joined thereto, spring clip means for holding a wheel covermember on the wheel comprising a, plurality of spaced clips eachincluding a generally radially extending strip disposed over a flange ofthe rim part and having an outer edge wedged into engagement with anannular flange of the rim part and an inner edge wedged into engagementwith the body part adjacent the junction of the wheel parts; this striphaving an intermediate lateral flange provided with an undercut shoulderarranged to be engaged by a portion of a cover member for holding thecover member on the wheel.

In accordance with other general features of this invention, there isprovided a relatively large annular wheel cover or trim ring which ismade of such thin metal as to require reinforcement at an edge where itis in cooperation with the retaining means therefor, this reinforcementbe ing provided by the multiple turning or rolling of an inner edge ofthe ring upon itself whereby the turned edge is made sufficientlyresilient to resist buckling and distortion and yet be flexible enoughto snap over retaining means on the wheel.

A further feature of the invention relates to the reinforcing of an edgeof a wheel cover or hub cap made of relatively thin metal which edge isturned back upon itself a plurality of times to form a multiplethickness of metal at the edge whereby the edge will resist permanentdistortion when subjected to the pressure of a pry-off tool.

In accordance with still other features of this invention-there isprovided a novel wheel cover retaining spring clip comprising a strip ofmetal having oppositely turned edges for wedging engagement with partsof a wheel and having positioned between said edges lateral flange meanseach having an undercut shoulder at substantially right angles to theplane of the strip and arranged to cooperate retainingly with an edge ofa wheel cover member.

Still another feature of the invention relates to the reinforcing ofprojecting ears on a spring wedged into cooperation clip so that saidears will have a greater rigidity and thus enable relatively thin sheetsteel to be used in the manufacture of the clip.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will more fully appearfrom the following detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate several embodiments thereof, andin which:

Figure l. is a front view of a wheel structure embodying the features ofthis nvention and partly broken away in order to show the location ofthe spaced cover retaining clips;

Figure 2 is a vertical fragmentary enlarged cross sectional view takenon the line II--II of Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by thearrows;

Figure 3 is a still further enlarged sectional view correspondin to theupper right hand portion of Figure 2 and illustrating clearly the mannerin which a spring clip cooperates with the wheel parts and with thewheel cover member;

Figure 4 is a detail view in perspective showing one of the springclips;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 3 butillustrating a modification of the invention;

Figure 6 is an elevation of the modified form of the clip shown inFigure. 5;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding to Figures 3 and5 and illustratin a still further modification of the invention;

Figure 8 is an elevational view of the modified form of clip shown inFigure 7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figures 5 and '7 andillustrating a. still further form of clip;

Figure 10 is a front elevation of in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modification of theinvention taken in toto from my copending application Serial No.306,527, filed November 23, 1939, Patent No. 2,308,615, issued January19, 1943, and illustrating how the reinforcing feature of my inventioncan be applied to a wheel cover having the form of a hub cap;

Figure 12 is a front view of a wheel structure embodying the features ofthis invention and partly broken away to show how the spring clips arespaced from each other in their cooperation with the parts of the wheel;

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssectional view taken on theline XIII-Q5111 of Figure 12 looking in the direction indicated bythearrows and showing in cross section the configuration of a springclip, as well as the crosssectional shape of the wheel cover or trimmember disposed in cooperation therewith;

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssectional view correspondingto the upper right hand portion of Figure 13 and showing more clearlythe manner in which the springclip is with a portion of the wheel bodyinside of a wheel opening and also showing a reinforced shoulder forretaining cooperation with a reinforced inner edge of the trim ring; and

Figure 15 is a fragmentary front view of the clip in its retainedengagement with the wheel part, the cover being removed so as to showclearly the front configuration of the spring clip and how a skid chainstrap may be passed therethrough.

Asshown on the drawings:

. .The reference character It designates generally'a multi-fianged dropcenter type of tire rim the clip shown depressed portions of the axialwhich includes the usual radial flanges l l and i2 and annular flangesit, as well as a base flange M which is attached at spaced intervals tothe usual wheel body part or spider i5. This spider or body part has asits center the usual bolt-on flange ll by means of which the Wheel maybe attached to a suitable support on an automobile.

The drop center tire rim i6 is adapted to accommodate in a well knownway a pneumatic tire t which has the usual beads l disposed inside ofthe flanges l2 of the rim and resting in the flanges l3. It will beperceived that the depressed portion of this axial flange it provides ashoulder which tends to hold the bead in place on the rim as is now wellknown in the art. One of the features of this invention relates to theutilization of the shoulder provided by this depression in the flange I3for aiding in the retention of my cover retaining clips on the wheel.

Attention is directed to the fact that in the different forms andmodifications of the invention illustrated in the drawings I employedthe same reference numerals to show the corresponding parts of the wheeland tire.

In Figures 1 to inclusive, I have designated my novel wheel cover ortrim ring generally by the reference character It. This trim ring may hemade of any suitable metallic sheet such, for example, as steel sheet,and by reason of certain features, which will be hereinafter discussedin detail, may be made of relatively thin sheet metal, since thefeatures of my invention provide it with the requisite rigidity for itto cooperate with the retaining clips on the wheel, which clips aredesignated generally by the reference character It.

The trim ring l9 includes an outer turned edge 2! which overlies anouter edge of the wheel rim and is juxtaposed to the side wall of thetire. The curvature of this trim ring is such that it apears to be acontinuation of the side wallof the tire, so that if it is finished inwhite it gives the tire the effect of having a white side wall.

The inner edge 28 of this annular trim ring I9 is rolled or curled uponitself a plurality of times which, for example, may be one and onehalfto two or more times and thus reinforces the inner edge of the trimring. In other words, I provide the trim ring with rigidity and strengthat the point of stress or where it cooperates with the retaining meanson the wheel.

It should be noted that the inner edge of the cover I?! is adapted to besprung over shoulders on my novel spring clips l8 which will bedescribed more in detail hereinafter, and as a consequence the edge mustbe relatively strong in order to resist permanent distortion orbuckling. In the application of this edge to the retaining clip it issprung in its entirety out of a normal circular shape, so that when itis in cooperation with the retaining clip the edge is under tension andthus retains the cover l9 on the wheel. In other words, by reason of thefact that the edge has been sprung out of its normal shape when it is incooperation with the clips, it has a tendency to spring back to itsnormal shape, and it is this resiliency or stressing of the edge that Iutilize for the purpose of retaining the cover on the wheel.

Moreover, in the removal of the cover from the wheel, a pry-off tool isinserted under the beaded edge 20 for the purpose of forcibly prying thethat the edge is easily pressible into retaining cooperationwith theclips but requires considerably more force in order to pry it free fromits engagement with clips. The necessity of thus prying the wheel coveroff the wheel in the manner above described further emphasizes theimportance of the edge being reinforced so as to prevent permanentdistortion or buckling of the edge either in its removal from the wheelor its application thereto.

I find that b reinforcing the edge in the manner I have above described,namely, by providing it with a plurality of turns of metal, I am enabledto use much thinner metal in the cover than would be otherwise possibleand still enable the cover to have the requisite amount of rigidity toresist permanent distortion or buckling.

This broad feature of reinforcing the edge of a cover by providing itwith a bead having a multiple of turns of metal is broadly disclosed inmy earlier filed copending application Serial No. 306,527, filedNovember 28, 1939. In order to make this clear, I have in Figure 11illustrated a form of th invention which has been taken in toto from myearlier filed application and illustrating the above describedreinforcing feature as being applied to the outer edge of a coverinstead of to an inner edge as in the other forms of the invention shownin the present application. In addition, the invention is shown as beingapplied to a wheel cover in the form of a hub cap in Figure 11 insteadof to a cover in the form of a trim ring as, for example, is shown inFigure 2.

In Figure 11, the reference letter A designates generally a circular hubcap made of relatively thin metal and having its outer marginal portionturned rearwardly and formed into a reinforcing bead B made up of aplurality of turns of tightly wound metal so as to rigidify this edge.This reinforced beaded edge B is cooperable with the spider C of awheel, and more particularly with a pluralit of equidistantly spacedprotuberances D on the spider over which the edge B is springable in itsentirety into stressed and retaining cooperation therewith. Broadly,therefore, the wheel or hub cap A has the same advantageous reinforcingfeature of my invention as is utilized in the cover or trim ring I9previously described. It might further be noted that this reinforcingfeature is of even greater advantage in a wheel cover in the form of atrim ring than in a hub cap due to the larger diameter of the edge ofthe trim ring to which the feature is applied. In other words, thelarger the edge the greater is the chance for that edge to becomepermanently distorted or buckled when stressed. By using a plurality ofturns of closely curled metal in the bead of the edge, I am enabled tosolve in a simple way the necessity for properly reinforcing this edgewhich is not only sprung in its application to the retaining means onthe wheel but must be subjected to considerable stress when it is priedfree of its cooperation with the wheel.

In Figure 4, I have illustrated in perspective one of my novel springretaining clips I8. Any suitable number of these clips may be employedequidistantly spaced. clips may be used. Since these clips are allidentical, a description of one will suflice for all.

Each clip is made from metallic strip or sheet having the requisitemetallurgical characteristics to provideit with rigidity andresiliencyand includes a. body portion havingoppositely turned extremities 26 and21. The extremity 26 comprises a substantially straight but wedge shapedportion, the extreme outer edge of which is adapted to slide over the inthe depressed axial flange I3 of the rim part III. The other extremity21 of the clip is curved axially rearwardly so as to conform closely tothe shape of the junction of the flanges I I and I4 against which thebody 25 of the clip is adapted to abut. The extreme inner edge of theextremity 21 is adapted to be wedged into tight engagement with thespider I5 adjacent the junction of the flange I6 of the spider and thebase flange I4 of the rim part.

The body portion 25 also includes relatively rigid, outwardly extending,parallel, and spaced lateral ears 2828, each having a suitably curvedouter edge and provided at its under side with a notch 29 which forms ashoulder 30 adapted to cooperate with the bead 20 of the cover in theretention of the same on the wheel.

In the application of the spring clip I8 to the wheel, it is pressedaxially against the exposed flange I I of the rim part until itsextremity 26 snaps over the shoulder of the flange I3 thus resilientlwedging the clip between the flange I3 and the spider or body part I5. Ifind that the clip is so tightly held in this wedged position thatconsiderable force is necessary before it can be pried free of thewheel. In order to pry it free, the edge of a pry-01f tool orscrewdriver may be inserted under the extremity 26, after which the clipmay be forcibly pried out of its cooperation with the parts of thewheel.

After the clips I8 have been properly positioned and secured in place onthe wheel as shown in Figure l, the wheel cover I9 may be easily appliedto the wheel by simply pressing it axially against the outer side of thewheel. In so doing, the beaded edge 28 contacts the shoulders 30 and isthus resiliently stressed in its entirety as it passes over the highspots of the shoulders 30 of the clips and until it is seated in thenotched portions 29 of the clips. In this springing of the edge, theedge is not allowed to return completely to its normal position when itis seated in the notched portions 29 of the clips, and as a consequenceit is under stress or tension when in this engaged position. It is thistension which causes the wheel cover to be held tightly in place on thewheel. Moreover, it is easier to apply the cover to the wheel than toremove it. D1 fact, to remove it, considerable force must be appliedthrough the instrumentality of a pry-off tool or screwdriver, the bluntend of which can be inserted under the beaded edge 26 to pry forciblyloose the cover from the wheel.

In the modifications of my invention shown in Figures 5 to 10, I haveused the same reference numerals as in the first described form toindicate identical parts common to these forms, and it will hence beunderstood that the same description as given in the case of the firstform is also applicable to these common components or parts.

In Figures 5 and 6, I have illustrated a modified form of spring clipI8a for holding the trim ring or wheel cover I9 on the wheel. Theprincipal d fference between this clip we and the previously describedclip I8 resides in the face that the clip Ilia has its body portionprovided with a depressed rib 32 extending vertically of the clip fortransversely reinforcing the clip. This reinforcing rib 32 isadvantageous in that it enables me to use relatively thin metal in thespring clip and yet have the requisite rigidity in the same;

annular shoulder formed fiforcement of its lateral ears retaining clipsIn Figures '7 andB, I' have illustrated a modified form of spring clipI81) which differs principally from the clip It in the construction andrein 2$b-28b. Each of these lateral ears 28b is provided with areinforcing transversely turned flange 33 which rigidifies andstrengthens the ears. Since this flange, as shown in Figure 7, extendsaround a substantial or major portion of the edge of the-ear (shown bydotted lines in Figure 7), it is necessary to notch the flange bydepressing the same as indicated at 29?) in Figure 7. This depression inthe flanged edge of the ear ztbresults in the provision of-a shoulderZidb which corresponds in function to that of the shoulder 39 of thefirst described form of clip I8. Otherwise; this form of the invention.operates and functions in the same way as described-in detail inconnection with the first described embodiment.

In Figures 9 and 10, I have illustrated a still further form of springclip I30 which differs principally from the clip III in that instead ofhaving the single wedge-shaped extremity 26, it is provided with twoaligned extremities 2tc-2Ecv These wedge-shaped portions 260 projectfrom the body portion 250 which is reinforced on its sides by lateralears 280 corresponding in function to that of the ears 28-28 of thefirst form of the invention.

Since, in the modifications of the invention shown in Figures to 10, theoperation of the clips and the cover I9 is the same as in the preferredform shown in Figure 1, no further description of the same is deemednecessary. It might further be noted, however, that by using two outerprojections 260-260 on the clip as shown in the last described form, Iam enabled to cause the clip to have biting engagement at two spacedpoints with the flange I30 of the wheel rim part We fastened at spacedintervals to the wheel body part I50. This is advantageous in that itenables the clip to be tightly wedged under tension in position on theparts of the wheel without there being any shoulder or depressed sectionin the flange I30 of the rim part.

In Figures 12 to '15 inclusive I have illustrated a further modificationof the invention wherein the spring clips are so formed as to actuallyextend into the wheel openings.

In this further modification, the reference character I It designatesgenerally a conventional drop center type of tire rim adapted toaccommodate in the usual way a pneumatic tire I99 having beads IilBpositioned within the side flanges of the rim part. The rim partincludes a base flange III, side flanges H2 and H4 which extendgenerally radially, and axial flanges I53. The flanges on the outer sideof the wheel are adapted to cooperate with my wheel cover and which willbe described more in detail hereinafter.

Each of the flanges III is depressed so that the bead Hi8 fits in thedepressed section and thus minimizes the likelihood of the bead shiftingits position in the rim part upon puncture or blowout of the tire. Thisdepressed section provides an annular shoulder II5 which I utilize inthe retention of my spring cli I2I in position.

The base flange III is attached at spaced intervals to a wheel body partor spider, designated generally by the reference character H6, and whichincludes the usual central bolt-on flange II! by means of which thewheel is attached to a suitable support on the vehicle in a manner wellknown to the those familiar with at spaced intervals to the wheel art.By reason of the fact that the base flange III of the rim part is onlyattached the body part- I I6 wheel openings I22 are provided between thejoined portions of these parts which permit of the circulation of airthrough the wheel body and around the brake drum (not shown) in a manneralso familiar to those skilled in this art. i

I propose in accordance with the features'o this invention to utilizethe shoulder H5=on one of the flanges of the wheel rim part'and theopening I22 in the body part in the retention of my novel spring clipIZI on the wheel. A plurality of these spring clips, as best shown inFigure 12, are used, and I have found that excellent results may beobtained by using four of these clips equidistantly spaced apart aroundthe circumference of the body part I I6. These identical clips areretained on the wheel solely by reason of their wedging engagement withthe parts thereof and constitute the sole means for holding the wheelcover or annular trim ring IIB on the wheel;

The trim ring I I8 is of a convex-concavo crosssectional shape or, inother words, is curved or bulged outwardly between its inner and-outeredges. The outer edge extends over the outermost edge of the cooperatingflange H4 ofthe rim part and is turned as indicated at II9 so as toreinforce the edge and eliminate any sharpness. The inner edge, asbestfshown in Figure I4, is rolled or curled a plurality of'times uponitself thus providing a beaded reinforcedfedge I20 for cooperation withthe spring retaining clips IZI'. I preferably turn this edge at leastseveral times upon itself so as to provide amultiple of thicknesses ofmetal at this edge "which is subjected to stress when it is pressed intoretaining cooperation with the spring clips. This feature enables therigidifying of the inner edge of the trim ring which edge is of arelatively large diameter-and also enables this edge to. be sprung inits entirety'over the shoulders ofthe spring clips without permanentlydistortingor buckling the edge.

The transverse curvature of the'ring H8 is such that if it is finishedon its exterior side'with a white finish, it causes the tire to have theappearance of having a white side wall. In other words, the curved ringin effect appears as a continuation of the curved outer side wall of thetire I09. Due to the fact that this ring completely conceals the exposedsurfaces of the outer flanges of the rim part, the tire appears toextend clear up to the body part I It.

The subject matter of this above described feature of reinforcing theedge is being covered in another copending application Serial No.306,527.

Each of the spring clips is made of strip or sheet metal which maybe'relatively thin due to the way in which the clip is made andreinforced. Each clip embraces an outwardly inclined outer portion I23having an extremity adapted to be spring-wedged behind the shoulder IE5of the cooperating flange I I3 of the wheel rim part III). This inclinedportion I2'3 terminates on its inner side in a portion I24 which iscurved inwardly and closely follows the shape of the side flange at itsjunction with the base flange III of the rim part Iii], so that theinner extremity of the clip extends intoa corresponding opening I22 ofthe wheel.

In addition, each spring clip I2I isprovided with downwardly extendingears I25 and "I26 I ment of thexspace" for a dual purpose-one to spaceda predetermined distance apart. These earshave their edgesslightlyyflanged at I21 and I28 ,to reinforce thesaane, and it will beperceived'from-Figure's l4 and that'these flange portions I21 extendsubstantially around a major portion of the periphery of each of theears I25.I:I26. 1

.Each ear is preferably made of a bowedshape, as shown in Figure 15, sothat each ear has portions which are disposed in planes converging.toward the planes of the portions of the other ear. The widest space inbetween the ears I and I26 occursysubstantially midway their heightasindicated generally by the reference numeral I3II3I. The planeintercepting thetwo points I3II3I is substantially at the bottompsurfaceof the .base flange III of the wheel rim part. The purpose of thisenlargebetween the wings or ears of eachclip is to enable strap shown indotted lines at A in Figure 15 of a lug. or anti-skid chain to beinserted through the clip and passed through the corresponding wheelopening I22. In other words, the wheel openings provide ventilation asnoted before, and the otherto provide openings through which the strapsof lugv or anti-skid chains can be inserted and attached to the wheel asis well known to those familiar with this art.

The construction of each of my spring clips is such that it stillpermits of transversely about and through the wheel opening. a

The under or lower side of the flanged edges ofthe two ears I25 and I26is notched out as indicated at I in Figure 14 so as to provide a the useof the strap shoulder I 32 in each of the ears which constitutes,

high spots over which the; reinforced and strengthened beaded edge I20of (the trim ring II 8 must be sprung in the application of the trimring to the wheel.

In theapplication of the spring clips to the wheel, each of them isplaced in position opposite a wheel opening I22 and is then pressedaxially against the flanges of the wheel rim. This pressure results inthe springing of the tip or extremityof the inclined portion I23 oftheclip over theshoulder I I 5 until itis back of the shoulder and isthus spring wedged against the flange II3 of the rim part; Thespringwedging of this tip portion I23 against the flange I30 resultsalso in the wedging of the lower flanged edges I27 and I20 of the earsI25 and I26 inside of the opening against a portion I33 of the wheelbody part or spider IIB. Also, the curved leg or portion I24 of eachclip abuts and is backed up by the curved junction of the side flange H2and the base flange I II of the rim part; Thus, the spring clip isfirmly held in place under resilient tension. If it should be desired toremove the clip, it may be easily removed by inserting a screwdriverunderneath the outer extremity of the portion I23 and prying it free ofits retained engagement therewith. Any suitable pry-off tool may beused, such, for example, as a screwdriver, the edge of which may beinserted in the space between the portion I 23 and the clip and thejunction of the two flanges H2 and II 3 of the rim part.

In the application of the trim ring I I 8 to the wheel, it i pressedaxially against the wheel thus causing the beaded and reinforced edge tobe sprung in its entirety over the high spot of shoulder I32 until itpasses over and behind this high spot into the depression or groove I30,thus I22 are usually used the cross section of the tire the four springclips, 1

10 ring under spring tension on It will be appreciated thatinthisspringingof the edge I20 it is not comholding the trimpletelyreturnedto its original diameter after it haspassed over the highspot I32, and that. as a consequence it is constantly under springtension tending to hold it into tight retained engagement with theshoulders of the plurality of clipsldn the wheel. Of course, all of theclips are disposed in a common circle, since, as shown inFligure 12,they all are located the same distanceiirom the center of the wheel.

Thus,.I have provided a very simple and inex-' pensive form of springclip which is self-retained on the wheel by reason of its own resilientwedging engagement with the parts of the wheel and which is soconstructed that it islgreatly rigidifled, thus enabling the use oflight metal and is formed with an opening for accommodating the, usuallug or skid chain strap.

I claim as my invention:

11. In a wheel construction including a multiflanged tire rim part and abody part joined theretojspring clip means for holding a wheel covermember on the wheel comprising a plurality of spaced clips eachincluding a generally radially extending strip disposed over a flange ofthe rim part and having an outer edge wedged into engagement with anannular flange of the rim part and an inner edge wedged into engage:ment with said body part adjacent thejunction of said wheel parts, saidstrip having an interme-,

diate projection constructed and arranged to be engaged by a covermember for holding the cover member on the wheel.

2. In a wheel including a multi-flanged wheel rim part and a body partjoined thereto, a wheel cover retaining-spring clip disposed alongside aside flange of said rim part and having injcombination, a part providedwith inner and outer edges spring wedged into retained engagement wheeland retaining means for engaging witha cover. I V

3. In combination,-a wheel including a multiflanged wheel rim part and abody part joined thereto, and a wheel cover retaining spring clipdisposed alongside aside flangeof said rim part and having innerandouter edges springwedged into retained engagement with said wheel parts,said engagement constituting the sole means for holding the clip on thewheel, said clip having an intermediate shoulder arranged for retainingcooperation with a wheel cover member.

4. As an article of manufacture, a spring clip for retaining a wheelcover member on a wheel comprising a strip of metal having oppositelyturned edges for wedging engagement with parts of a wheel and havingbetween said edges a shoulder for retaining cooperation with an edge ofa wheel cover member, said shoulder being flanged to reinforce the sameagainst buckling.

5. As an article of manufacture, a spring clip for retaining a wheelcover member on a wheel comprising a strip of metal having oppositelyturned edges for wedging engagement with parts of a wheel and havingbetween said edges a shoulder for retaining cooperation with an edge ofa wheel cover member, said strip being longitudinally ribbed to aid theclipin resisting transverse buckling.

6. As an article of manufacture, a spring clip for retaining a wheelcover member on a wheel comprising a strip of metal having oppositelyturned edges for wedging engagement with parts of a wheel and havingbetween said edges a shoulder for retaining cooperation with an edge ofa wheel cover member, one of said edges being formed into a pair ofaligned wedge-shapedprojections for biting engagement with spacedvportionsl of the wheel.

i 7.,In combination, a wheel including a multiflanged wheel rim part anda body part joined thereto, a wheel cover retaining spring clip disposedalongside a side flange of said rim part and having inner and outeredges spring wedged into retained engagement with said wheel parts, saidengagement constituting the sole means for holding the clip on thewheel, said clip having an intermediate shoulder arranged for retainingcooperation with a wheel cover member, and a wheelcover having a beadededge comprising a plurality of turns to reinforce the same and arrangedto be sprung in its entirety over said shoulder.

8. In a wheel structure including a multiflanged tire rim part and abody part joined thereto at spaced intervals leaving openings betweenthe joined portions of clip means for holding a wheel cover member onthe wheel comprising a plurality of spaced clips each including agenerally radially extending strip disposed over a flange of the rimpart and having an outer edge wedged into engagement with an annularflange of the rim part, a radially inner portion of said strip beingprovided with laterally extending ears projecting into one of said wheelopeningsand being wedged into engagement with an adjoining portion ofthe body part, said ears also being provided with a shoulder over whicha portion of a wheel cover is adapted to be passed for retainingcooperation therewith. 9. In a wheel structure including a multiflangedtire rimpart anda body part joined thereto at spaced intervals leavingopenings between the joined portions of said parts, spring clip meansfor holding a wheel cover member on the wheel comprising a plurality ofspaced clips each including a generally radially extendin strip disposedover a flange of the rim part and having an outer edge wedged intoengagement with an annular flange of the rim part, a radially innerportion of said strip being provided with laterally extending earsprojecting into one of said parts, spring said wheel openings and beingwedged into eii-,

gagement with an adjoining portion of the body part, said ears alsobeing. provided with'a shoulder over which a'portion of a" wheelcover'is adapted to be passed for retaining cooperation therewith,' saidears being disposed in nonparallel relationship and being spaced apartso as to provide for engagement with the portionof v the body part andthe cover member at spaced points. so

10. In'combination, a wheel includinga fla'ngedrim and abodypar't'joined thereto rat spaced intervals leaving wheel openingsbetween the joined portions of cover retaining spring a side flange ofsaid ment with aflange of the rim part and an inneredge curved axiallyinto one of said wheel openings, said clip also having adjacent itsinner edge radially inwardly projecting means wedged into engagementwith a portion of the bodypart inside of the wheel opening and providedexternally of said latter wedged engagement with a;

shoulder for engageme t with a wheel cover;

gagement with a flange oi-said rim part and a radially inner lateralprojection extending into the wheel opening and wedged into engagementwith an adjoining portion of said body part inside of thewheel opening.Y

12. As an article of manufacture, a spring clip for retaining a wheelcover member on awheel comprising a strip of metal comprising a mainbody having oppositely turned extremities oneof which is inclined awayfrom saidbody for wedging engagement with a flange of .a rim part andthe med projection formed for wedging engagement with a bodypart insideof a wheel opening, said body also being provided with an intermediateshoulder between said extremities over which a portion of a .wheel coveris adapted to be pressed for retaining cooperation therewith.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON.

said parts, and .a wheel clip disposed alongside ofrim part; and, havingan outer edge spring-wedged into retained engage a wheel including-am'ultiother of which is provided with a stiff-

